We had the good fortune of connecting with Allison Hare and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Allison, how does your business help the community?
My goal is to elevate the voices with messages that matter. I share the stories and interviews of culture changers. The people whose work and ideas change how we all live. We are in a new era. One that has broken out of the old paradigms of conformity and shattered old ideas of the hierarchy our parents and grandparents grew up knowing. That’s why there’s so much cognitive dissonance outside our doors. It’s a changing of the guard and with any growth, there is also pain. There are so many people who feel stuck in their own skin. They know they have fire, passion, and their own genius in them, but they aren’t sure how to access it or where to start. That’s where I come in. I have a podcast called Culture Changers to help not only shift perspectives and shatter old paradigms, but also gives practical action-based steps to help you make your own mark. As I thought about how can I empower even more people, I now have a podcast coaching program called Press Play Podcasts and am starting a podcast network called Uncommon People Podcast Network (UPP Network). My burning question is always…how do you move a community forward and be a force for good? So that’s what I chase down every single day.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I turned 40, everything started to pivot. Infertility struggles. Birth triumphs after a harrowing experience with the birth of my first child. Falling into a state or disordered eating and body dysmorphia after 2 kids that resulted in botched plastic surgery and 3 surgeries to correct it. Volunteering at an inner city school and facing the racial inequities of our future generations propelled something very deep in me. For the first time in my life, I felt like my actions could make a difference. I really wanted to elevate the voices of people who were doing big things – and doing them differently. I decided to launch my podcast called Culture Changers in May, 2019. I fell in love with podcasting so much – and felt I needed to expand the mission to help others use their voices, that I started a podcast launch program called Press Play Podcasts. I am so proud of the podcasters that have come out of that program. They are passionate and their shows are growing audiences that care and are so fulfilling. And yet again, I want to empower more people and start a movement – so I am launching a podcast network called Uncommon People Podcast (UPP) Network where I am curating some podcasts that are changing the conversation. I’m looking for growing podcasts in the humorous, spiritual, political, kid-friendly, spaces and more if you are interested! I have a background in broadcasting and I always knew my gift was my voice. I’m trying to honor it as best I can. Was it easy? Hell no! I’ve had so many times when I’ve been knocked down, jolted, jilted, and set back or set sideways. I always feel like the hard way is the easy way. The easy way is the hard way. The most pivotal experiences in my life have all come from struggle and setback. Every one. Personally, I think people are looking for happiness insurance. But that is missing the mark. I feel like we should look for value insurance. Failure is really feedback anyway. Where can we contribute that will make something better? Whether we create something out of thin air or make it better?
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Old Fourth Ward and my area is by far, THE coolest part of town. It’s vibrant, it’s walkable, it’s healthy, the people are awesome, and every color or person is represented and living life together. Ponce City Market and the Atlanta Beltline are always a must. Piedmont Park is always like a big ol’ reset button for me. The air feels better. It’s nourishing, and at the same time, you can be active or relaxing in nature. Now here’s the best kept secret in town. Go to Dance 101 and take the Reb3l Groove dance class. You don’t need any experience at all – but it will damn near change your life. Cross-my-heart on that one.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So. Many. Shoutouts. Needed! First and foremost, I am super grateful to everyone who listens and shares my episodes. There’s a core group of die-hards that I will hear from every week whether it’s feedback on my show, my blog posts, or how the message hit them. That feedback is SO critical to me, how I adapt the direction and the messaging, and keep going! I also need to give big thanks for my forever-sounding boards Isabel DuPree, Rachael Hoffman, Maureen Whatley, Cindy Robinson and Julie Stewart who are all endlessly impressive entrepreneurs in their own right. My husband, Chris Hare, deserves the ultimate shout out. Unfailingly supportive in every possible way and the power in my engine to do the best I can for our family.
Website: https://allisonhare.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/allison__hare
Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/allisonhare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/allison__hare
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/culturechangerspod/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmZIiUjqRHPe-mjrWS5GdNw/featured?view_as=subscriber
Other: https://allisonhare.com/podcasts
Press Play Podcasts Launch Program: https://pressplaypodcasts.co
Image Credits
Chelsea Patricia Photography